I love these family stories. Rumor has it that my great-great-grandfather run with my great-grandfather from Portugal to Brazil, and changed his last name from Penedo Maia to Basilio. And that’s how my name is Ana Teresa Basilio. Who knows…

What a gorgeous picture… It amazes me how, with all the advance technology in cameras that we have today, such a great photograph can be taken with the simplest and outdated of equipment.
That is a lovely story, and one you must be immensely proud of. I know I am always filled with pride after hearing old family stories.
- TheSuburbanRay.blogspot.com

The above comments I’ve read so far have little trace of sympathy. You touched me. The photo alone, without knowing about its subject, would have been a relic, a “vintage” photo reminding us of past exuberance of style. In a few sentences, though, you have told us the complete life of this man, and now the photo lives, because it is of him. We care about him, we understand him and sympathize with him to the point of pain. This photo doesn’t just depict a memory anymore, but figures into his story, functioning as the sad irony that those who make others smile with their outward style (and whose style *is* smiling) are victims of bare bones suffering inwardly. Thank you Robert B.

Very touched by his storey.Wonderful family photos you have…they are very ineresting characters…My family is so dull.They would have been the ones all shocked by the jammies on the beach! Glad to say I’m the one my family is shocked by these last few decades and I wouldn’t change that for the world.

This is such a touching story. even though your uncle’s story, tragically, didn’t end happily, it is still heart-warming to hear stories of true love enduring such a turbulent time like a war. my grandparents were penpals for 4 years throughout the war (my grandma wrote to him, her best friend’s big brother, as a favour to keep him company), and by the time they first met at the end of the war, they already knew and loved eachother inside out. I’ve vowed to one day write a book about their love.
Your uncle looks like a true gent, too. what wonderful, unusual proportions and how smart!

Gifted Fine artists..both your Uncle and the photographer (perhaps your father?). Love everything about the photo, especiallly his dramatic, silly pose props and ‘finery’. This man knew how to have fun!

People should be doubly impressed with these exquisite photos from the war eras, when finding joy and style, and a decent camera and photography skill, with the little that was at hand was not for amateurs. There is a ‘living for the moment’ that comes across so wonderfully in these war era photos.

His Heartbreaking diary story brings me to tears. How wonderful it was left and you to read it. We all want to be heard.

Thank you for sharing your noble uncle, Mr. John Barron’s magic and something of his heroic sacrifices, Robert. and thanks Scott for posting.

Love vintage photos. I used them for my seventies post “Free as a Bird”. Check out my new post of my shoot for BEAUMONDE with Erdem designs, as well as old posts on my trip to cannes and meeting with Cavalli :)

Thanks so much for elevating this whimsical photo with such a heart touching story. You brought this man to life with just a few words. I also felt very moved and I think your uncle would be thrilled to now be on Sartorialist!

A further note for Robert B., the eloquent caption author and nephew of the pictured whimsical sartorialist and heartbroken war hero, Mr. John Barron.

This whimsical vintage photo and your brief, beautifully written story touched many of us deeply. You write with such skill and soulfulness. The story reads like the opening lines of a great literary work! Do you have a blog/site where we could read more of your writings?

Thanks again for submitting and to Scott for posting. I too think your Uncle would be delighted to be featured on ”The’ Sartorialist!

and the story… although sad, to me it just shows how incredible and amazing are the lives of people we will never know. no matter how close or distant they were/are.
wear it with a smile and pride.
it will give your uncle the credit he so clearly deserved.

Wow! Amazing photo and story of this man’s life. I think these vintage photos take Scott’s blog to a whole other level. I’d like to give a special thanks for these people who are sharing these personal photos and stories. ;-)

A beautiful picture – the outfit, the pose, the background, everything is perfect. But most importantly thank you for sharing with us the story of the man in this picture, it is heartbreaking but at the same time brings him so much closer to us. Also, it was very well written. This has to be my favourite vintage photo entry – by far.

Robert, the photo of your uncle is enchanting, and the story heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing. Your writing is beautiful. Perhaps one day you’ll write your uncle’s story down for all of us to read.

That picture is truly a joy to see and the story so heart-wrenching and beautiful at the same time. That little glimpse into your Uncle’s life and love was so wonderful of you to share. Mr. Barron seems to have been quite an interesting man and would I’m sure be quite happy to have a nephew that would write so thoughtfully about him.

Thank you for sharing the touching story and the evocative photo. It underscores the senselessness of war, and what a waste of talents, personalities, and rich and interesting interior lives that were lost as a result. What a charmer your uncle must have been, and what an interesting life he would have led, but for.

Great story. He sounds like a great person. I am sure he and his English officer lover are together now. I wish I could have met him. And his outfit looks great. I love the close fitting coat and looser trousers.

Wanting to know more of the heart rending story of your charming and whimsical Uncle John, I googled his name and Equihen France, and was delighted to come across your wonderful Flickr photos and more of your eloquent writings about his full, but tragically short life. The finding of the diary, the letters..more tears. You also write so movingly of the fascinating history of your family, their life at the French seaside and how the heart break of war colored their lives.

Here then, from your flickr pages, for your appreciative audience to enjoy, are more photos of your handsome, stylish, Uncle John. He is indeed, always beautifully and whimsically turned out. No one has ever worn a “hankie the size of a dinner napkin” ascot with such panache! Here too, are more of your compelling writings that with loving skill bring this gentle man, devoted boyfriend and war hero to life and once again dazzle our eyes and touch our hearts.

love the photo,
and was instantly drawn to it.
it nearly ruined my day,
and yet,
it made it too.
the story tore me down and then put me back together,
it was so touching.
it’s amazing how a few lines can contain a whole life.
i would like very much to read more of john barron’s diary,
and the things he felt and loved.

I am so touched by this man’s story I keep coming back to look at this picture and read again and again. Thank you so much for sharing, Robert B., and please write a book about him! He seems like such an interesting an inspiring figure. I hope you were able to know him in life.